Staph infection reported at Southview Middle School in Tuscaloosa

Published: Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 11:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 11:33 p.m.

At least one case of staph infection was reported Thursday at Southview Middle School.

Lesley Bruinton, spokeswoman for Tuscaloosa City Schools, said the case was reported among students, but she wouldn’t say how many students were infected, if school was dismissed or give any other specifics, citing student privacy laws.

“We’re contracting with a cleaning crew to ensure the safety of the students,” Bruinton said. “We are also working with our school health services.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, staph infections are caused by staphylococcus bacteria, a type of germ commonly found on the skin or in the nose. Most of the time, these bacteria cause no problems or result in relatively minor skin infections.

But staph infections can turn deadly if the bacteria invade deeper into someone’s body and enter their bloodstream, joints, bones, lungs or heart.

<p>At least one case of staph infection was reported Thursday at Southview Middle School.</p><p>Lesley Bruinton, spokeswoman for Tuscaloosa City Schools, said the case was reported among students, but she wouldn't say how many students were infected, if school was dismissed or give any other specifics, citing student privacy laws.</p><p>“We're contracting with a cleaning crew to ensure the safety of the students,” Bruinton said. “We are also working with our school health services.”</p><p>According to the Mayo Clinic, staph infections are caused by staphylococcus bacteria, a type of germ commonly found on the skin or in the nose. Most of the time, these bacteria cause no problems or result in relatively minor skin infections.</p><p>But staph infections can turn deadly if the bacteria invade deeper into someone's body and enter their bloodstream, joints, bones, lungs or heart.</p>